Folding methods for cardboard pallets

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00011. Field of the Invention

0002The invention generally relates to several folding methods for cardboard pallets. More particularly, the invention relates to several folding methods by which structurally simple, easy-to-assemble cardboard pallets with an enhanced strength may be formed with a low production cost.

00032. Description of the Prior Art

0004The bottom supporting structure of a conventional goods-carrying box is typically made of foam because foam is light, sturdy and inexpensive. Because foam is not bio-degradable and sends out poisonous fume when burned, it is quite environmentally unfriendly. Hence, if the use of foam is not banned, it may cause serious impacts on the environment.

0005Hence, many countries have banned the use of foam. Other materials have been used to replace foam as the bottom supporting structure of a box. As of now, wood and metal have been used for this purpose. Though the bottom supporting structure made of wood or metal has a great strength and hence may be used to carry heavy goods, such structure is relatively heavy and hence requires a higher transport cost; in addition, it is more difficult to recycle such structure.

0006Hence, cardboard pallet has been used for this purpose. The only disadvantage of the cardboard pallet of the prior art is its lack of strength because it is made of a single layer of cardboard; hence, such pallet can not be used to carry heavy goods. An improved cardboard pallet is made of several layers of cardboard; however, such pallet is more difficult to produce because several layers of cardboard need to be glued together and one or more slots need to be provided. Whence, the production cost of such improved cardboard pallet is quite high.

0007To eliminate these disadvantages, the inventor put a lot of effort in the subject and has successfully come up with the folding methods of the present invention by which structurally simple cardboard pallets with great strength may be formed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0008An object of the present invention is to provide several folding methods for cardboard pallets so that the strength of cardboard pallets may be enhanced and the pallets of the present invention may be used to carry heavier goods.

0009Another object of the present invention is to provide several folding methods for cardboard pallets so that a unit may be formed by a single piece of cardboard without using any adhesive and the strength of the pallets of the present invention may be greatly enhanced without any increase in the production cost.

0010A unit of the present invention is formed by a single piece of cardboard. First, the two side portions are folded up towards the centerline. Then, the cardboard piece is folded up along the centerline. Next, the two end portions are extended outwards and horizontally. Now, a unit with a “T” shape cross section and an enhanced strength is formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0011The drawings disclose a preferred embodiment of the present invention which serves to exemplify the various advantages and objects hereof, and are as follows:

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a unit of cardboard pallet according to the present invention;

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective view showing how two units of the present invention are put together to form a pallet;

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view showing how a pre-cut piece of cardboard is folded into a unit of the present invention (<b>1</b>);

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view showing how a pre-cut piece of cardboard is folded into a unit of the present invention (<b>2</b>);

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a perspective view showing how a pre-cut piece of cardboard is folded into a unit of the present invention (<b>3</b>);

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a perspective view showing how a pre-cut piece of cardboard is folded into a unit of the present invention (<b>4</b>);

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a perspective view showing how a pre-cut piece of cardboard is folded into a unit of the present invention (<b>5</b>);

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a perspective view showing another folding method (<b>1</b>);

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a perspective view showing another folding method (<b>2</b>);

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a perspective view showing another folding method (<b>3</b>);

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective view showing that a unit is used with another unit with a simpler construction;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a perspective view showing an assembled pallet formed by several units;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective view showing another assembled pallet formed by several units;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a perspective view showing how another type of cardboard piece is folded into a unit (<b>1</b>);

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a perspective view showing how another type of cardboard piece is folded into a unit (<b>2</b>);

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a perspective view showing how another type of cardboard piece is folded into a unit (<b>3</b>);

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a perspective view showing how another type of cardboard piece is folded into a unit (<b>4</b>);

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a perspective view showing how another type of cardboard piece is folded into a unit (<b>5</b>);

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is a perspective view showing how another type of cardboard piece is folded into a unit (<b>6</b>).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

0031Please refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. A unit <b>1</b> of the cardboard pallet of the present invention is formed by cardboard. The unit <b>1</b> has a “T” shaped cross section and a thicker top portion. A slot <b>13</b> is provided so that the unit <b>1</b> may be used with other units to enhance its strength.

0032Please refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Several units <b>1</b> may be put together to form a complete pallet <b>1</b> as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>. Because each unit <b>1</b> is comprised of several layers of cardboard, its strength is enhanced. In the cardboard cutting process, a portion of the cardboard is cut up and discarded so that the slot <b>13</b> may be formed after the unit <b>1</b> is folded up.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 to 7</figref> show how a unit is formed by folding. A unit <b>1</b> is formed by a single piece of cardboard. First, the two side portions <b>11</b> are folded up towards the centerline. Then, the cardboard piece is folded up along the centerline. Next, the two end portions <b>12</b> are extended outwards and horizontally. Now, a unit <b>1</b> with a “T” shaped cross section is formed; its vertical part is comprised of four layers of cardboard and its top part is comprised of two layers of cardboard so as to enhance its strength.

0034The pallet forming method requires one cutting process and three times of folding; hence, this method is simple and of low in cost.

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 to 10</figref> show another folding method. First, the two side portions <b>11</b> are folded up along the centerline. Then the two side portions <b>11</b> are folded back towards the center line. Then, the two end portions <b>12</b> are folded outwards. Now, a unit <b>1</b> with a “T” shaped cross section is formed. This pallet forming method provides an additional forming method to the first forming method.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a folded unit <b>1</b> may be used with another unit <b>2</b> with a simpler construction to form a simple pallet. In this example, the unit <b>2</b> is also comprised of cardboard and formed by a simple folding method. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, several units <b>1</b> and several units <b>2</b> may be put together to form a pallet with a great strength.

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 15 to 19</figref> illustrate how the unit <b>2</b> is formed. A cut-up piece of cardboard comprises three equally partitioned portions. First, the right portion <b>21</b> is folded inwards to press against the middle portion as showed in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>. Then, a left portion <b>21</b> is also folded inwards as showed in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>. Next, the cardboard is folded up along its centerline as showed in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>. As previously described, in the cardboard cutting process, a portion of the cardboard is cut up and discarded so that a slot <b>23</b> may be formed after the unit <b>2</b> is folded up. Alternatively, first, the right portion <b>21</b> is folded inwards to press against the middle portion as showed in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>. Then, the end portion <b>22</b> of the right portion <b>21</b> is folded outwards as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>. Next, the left portion <b>21</b> is folded inwards to press against the middle portion and the end portion <b>22</b> of the right portion <b>21</b> is folded outwards as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref>. Now, the unit <b>2</b> is formed (as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>).

0038Many changes and modifications in the above described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.